Western Tamang Dictionary

Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

Tamang is a vibrant language spoken by the Tamang speech community, and according to the 2011 Census of Nepal, it ranks as the fifth most spoken language in the country, representing 5.1 percent of the population. As a member of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, Tamang is primarily spoken around the Kathmandu Valley, though the Tamang ethnic group is spread across various districts throughout Nepal. The Nepal government recognized Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community in 2058 VS, and subsequent constitutions, including those of 2063 VS and 2072 VS, have acknowledged Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' traces the origins of Western Tamang people to Tibet, entering Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This song mentions Tamang settlements in places such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', 'Bompo', and 'Lambu'. According to Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail lies to the north and its head to the south, influencing Tamang burial practices where the deceased's head is positioned southward before cremation. The term 'Same' is significant in Tamang culture, symbolizing 'the tail of the Earth', and the movement from tail to head represents significant cultural shifts.

Despite lacking a standardized grammar, Tamang is categorized into two dialects: Eastern Tamang, originating from the Langtang Himal region east of the Trisuli River, and Western Tamang, spoken in districts to the west such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur. Eastern Tamang is known as 'Syarba', while Western Tamang is referred to as 'Nhurba' or 'Nhuppa'.

This bilingual dictionary is a collaborative effort by members of the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates Tamang words into Nepali, making it a valuable resource for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining due to the influence of Nepali, the lingua franca, posing a significant challenge to the preservation of Western Tamang as a mother tongue. This dictionary plays a crucial role in the preservation, promotion, and development of the language.

Continuous improvement is essential for the dictionary's advancement and maturity. The speech community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other concerned authorities are encouraged to provide insightful comments and feedback to enhance this resource.

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Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

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